SalaryByCity

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare vs Fast Food and Counter Workers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

$56,270

Median annual salary

71,620 employed nationally

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$30,480

Median annual salary

3,780,930 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals earn $25,790 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 84.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earns $96,400 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.

Salary Range Comparison

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$37,060 – $96,400
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$96,400

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileEducation and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and DaycareFast Food and Counter WorkersDifference
10th Percentile$37,060$22,620+$14,440
25th Percentile$45,310$27,150+$18,160
Median (50th)$56,270$30,480+$25,790
75th Percentile$72,690$35,440+$37,250
90th Percentile$96,400$38,800+$57,600
Mean (Average)$62,640$31,350+$31,290

Employment Numbers

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

71,620

employed nationwide

Fast Food and Counter Workers

3,780,930

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

CityMedian
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$79,000
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$77,390
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$64,180
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$62,530
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$61,880

Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$42,660
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$40,470
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$38,310
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$37,650
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$36,480

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,790 (84.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salaries range from $37,060 (10th percentile) to $96,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $56,270.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
How many Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 71,620 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare positions and 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fast Food and Counter Workers to Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare has a median salary of $56,270 while Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $30,480. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS